Transparent’s Ian Harvie Hosts The First Annual Gender Justice Awards

Seattle’s Gender Justice League will be taking over Melrose Market Studios next Thursday, August 6 starting at 6pm for the debut of the Gender Justice Awards. The dinner will highlight and showcase the continuing activism of trans and allied activists who have made incredible strides for trans, genderqueer, and gender nonconforming people in the Pacific Northwest. The event is also a fundraiser for Gender Justice League, supporting their work on such amazing projects as Trans* Pride Seattle.

The Gender Justice Awards will be hosted by Ian Harvie of the Golden Globe Award-winning series Transparent. Harvie, well-known for his many stand up appearances opening for comedian Margaret Cho, is also billed as “the world’s first FTM transgender comic”.

The event, according to Gender Justice League Executive Director Danni Askini, is an opportunity to elevate the profile and voices of communities members who are not as often celebrated even within trans communities.

“We are excited to be elevating and honoring the leadership of 11 Trans and allied activists or groups in our community who have had an exceptional impact on moving trans and gender justice forward this year,” says Askini. “We are especially thankful to be honoring the leadership of Trans people of color who have been driving our movement forward.”

The awards are a community-nominated and consensus-decided recognition. Gender Justice League screened over sixty nominations for ten categories of prizes to select the individuals and organizations doing the best work for the trans communities. The Awards committee prioritized nominations for people color, youth and elders, those with disabilities visible and/or invisible, immigrants and refugees, low-income/working class activists, and feminine-spectrum people, women and girls.

Gender Justice Awards and Honorees

The Emergence Award honors Selam Abunu, an emerging activist within the trans community, to elevate their work and encourage ongoing community support for their future work. The Emergence Award is honored with a $500 grant.

The Longevity Award honors Vanessa Grandberry, a community member who has made a sustained impact in the shape of our communities through their mentorship, leadership, and ongoing advocacy on behalf of trans people.

The Solidarity Award honors Sex Workers Outreach Project Seattle and Coalition For Inclusive Health Care, who act in unity or mutual support with trans communities

The Power Award honors Kshama Sawant, whose work has built the agency or political power of the trans communities.

The Resilience Award honors Kiyomi Fujikawa, a person who is building the strength and resilience within queer and trans communities of color.

The Health Justice Award honors Sid Jordan, who acts as a leader in striving for health care justice for trans communities.

The HIV Justice Award honors Alison Davison, whose work combats HIV stigma and addresses the high impact HIV has on trans communities.

The Community Award honors U.T.O.P.I.A., a group that strengthens community ties through performance, collaboration, and cultivating connectedness.

The Zeitgeist Award honors Ro Yoon, whose work answers the current call to action within trans communities and sets the tone for the movement.

Advance tickets are $45, and can be purchased here. Tickets will be $55 at the door. Tickets are priced at cost to make the event as accessible as possible. Ten percent of the tickets are available sliding scale. Sliding scale tickets can be requested via email: danni@genderjusticeleague.org. Attendees may also sponsor a ticket for another community member. Those wishing to make a more generous donation can purchase one of ten VIP tickets for $75 in advance or $80 at the door.

Melrose Market Studios is located at 1532 Minor Avenue. The space is wheelchair accessible, ASL interpretation will be provided, and Gender Justice League requests that attendees note the event is low-scent and smoke free.